Qais Essar: Echoes of the Rabab

Qais Essar is hailed as a master of Afghanistan's national instrument, the Rabab. With a rich history spanning over 2,500 years, the Rabab has endured periods of silence, but Qais believes it is at its quietest today. How does an ancient instrument find its place in today’s world? In this episode, Qais joins SBS Spice host Suhayla Sharif from Northern Arizona to explore the art of blending the contemporary with the classic and how the Afghan-American artist is reinventing its sound to secure its legacy for future generations.

A cornerstone of Afghan music for centuries, the Rabab has been a vital tool for the country’s musical storytellers. Variations of the instrument are found across South Asia, where its enduring presence serves as a testament to the region’s harmonious heritage.

For Qais, the Rabab’s greatest strength lies in its power to transport listeners to the past.

I think we can learn a lot from the past. Today, there’s so much divisiveness, but if you go back to a time when there wasn’t so much noise, you’d see that we’re not so different from one another.

Qais Essar on finding common ground through history

Breathing new life into an instrument once thought lost to time, Qais has captivated audiences on stages worldwide. From a six-year-old fascinated by the Rabab to having his song The Crown Sleeps featured in the Oscar-nominated film The Breadwinner (2017), his career has been nothing short of a crescendo.

Qais Essar joins Suhayla Sharif to discuss how the Rabab’s revival is not just a musical endeavour but a cultural renaissance.

Tap the audio player to listen to the full interview.

SBS Spice breaks new ground with English-language content for young South Asians in Australia by exploring what makes us tick or ick. Find us on your podcast apps such as the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or LiSTNR and follow us on Instagram @SBSSpice.